
By Patrick Lujan
After coming up just short the last two years, the Guam Islander Softball Association (GISA) Bud Light 40s are hoping that the third time’s a charm.

Keith Hattig
Facing the best players in the world at the World Masters Softball Championships in Las Vegas, GISA 40s came home with bronze medal in a division of over 80 teams in both 2015 and 2016.
The hopes are high to finally break the golden nugget this time around.
“We’re hoping we can do it the third time around,” said baseball legend and team captain Keith Hattig, who has been on both bronze medal teams. “We know what it takes to get it done and I think we have a very good team once again this year.”
Returning for another run along with Hattig are fellow baseball legends Benjie Pangelinan, Patrick Alvarez and Jimmy Reyes. The big sticks are intact with Pete Concepcion, Jay Flores and Mike Pereda. Add newcomers Tony Yatar and John McDonald to the battering ram and you have a dangerous lineup.
“It’s fun to go out there and prove to the rest of the nation that Guam can play with the big boys at that level of competition,” Pangelinan chimed in. “But it hurts when you come so close, sometimes out of over 80 teams, only to settle for the bronze. It leaves a bad taste where you want to go back and win it all. We hope we can get it done this time around.”

Benjie Pangelinan
GISA 40s (two-time defending bronze medalists)
Patrick Alvarez
Keith Hattig
Robert Meno
Luis Camacho
Jimmy Reyes
Pete Concepcion
Mike Cepeda
John McDonald
Jay Flores
Jarvis Quenga
Peter Aguon
Tony Yatar
Laurence Idelbong
Russell Maratita
Herbie Hattig
Joe Rivera
Chris Guzman
Benjie Pangelinan
Jess Sablan
Glen Nelson
Mike Schneip

The GISA 40s look for gold after two years of settling for the bronze.
SEVEN TEAMS FROM GUAM
Four men and three women teams will be representing Guam for the upcoming tournaments. The aforementioned bronze medalists are stacked with talent.
Sindalun Guahan is making their return to Vegas. The team originally was mostly made up of Guam Air Force Reservists but has evolved into a more seasoned squad headed by Jesse Aguon.
There’s a team from made up of the Armed Forces as well as GISA 50s that is just as star-studded as their 40s brothers.
Team Manager: Jess Sablan
Peter Aguon
Tim Aguon
Pete Benavente
Frank Cepeda
Patrick Corpuz
Harry Crisostomo
John Flores, Sr.
Herbert Hattig
Roland Lumongsud
John Manibusan
Ed Mendiola
Vince Meno
Roque Munoz
Jay Perez
Johnny Quenga
Joe Rivera
Robert Santos
Dominic Terlaje

The GISA 50s squad is locked and loaded with some fire power such as Peter Aguon, Roque Munoz, Harry Crisostomo and rookie Tim Aguon.
THREE WOMEN’S TEAMS
The three women’s teams representing our island are the Figo Islanders, Mighty 50s and Sotta.
The Figo Islanders (40s) are: Jojo Aguero, Judy Arturi, Jek Concepcion, Bek Concepcion, Annie Cruz, Julz Cruz, Bianca DeSoto, Faithe Escalona, Joanne Gogue, Jen Leon Guerrero, Lynn Pernet, Rose Plais, Bern Reyes, Nadine Reyes, Chelle Sakaba-Reyes, Chris San Nicolas, Betto Ueki and Maymay Yobei. David Aguon (coach), Albert Tudela (manager) and MariaElisa Sakaba-Reyes (equipment) round out Figo.
Team Sotta (40s) is made up of: Suzan Lupola, Youli Pelep, Prilihda Luther, Rose Taman, Melissa Cruz, Nannette Weilbacher, Karen Santos, Memo Chisato, Cathy Santos, Michelle Perez, Yuri Nakamura, Melva Sudo, Marcy Perez, Gloria Kioshi, Evelyn Franklin, Lillian Taijeron, Mike Cruz (equipment manager/assistant coach) and Alvin Fejeran (coach).
The Mighty 50s are: Rita Aguon, Del Balajadia, Annie Bordallo, Arlene Borja, Marie Cambonga, Maria Cruz, Elizabeth Dibene, Loli Duenas, Moniza Fernandez, Robyn Masnayon, Sue Miner, Rosa Palomo, Sandra Perez, Lulu Ramirez, Ar Sahagon, Tish Sahagon, Norma Salas, Flo Santos, and Rie Tenorio. Gerald Santos is the coach and Roman Sablan-Cruz is the manager.
There will also be representation from the CNMI at the tournament amongst the 600+ teams over a four-week span that goes as high as an 85+ division.
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
The highlight of the fourth week will be the teams from Guam receiving the 2017 Steve Simmons Memorial Team Sportsmanship Award, the top award given by Senior Softball-USA annually.
“This award transcends the game itself,” said Terry Hennessy, SSUSA CEO. “It stands for all that is good in the sport: passionate competition played with good humor and good fellowship – that is the formula for good sportsmanship. The beauty of good sportsmanship is that it incites a love of the game for all who witness it.
“The teams from Guam have demonstrated the highest level of sportsmanship and provide an example to teams throughout the sport.”
SCHEDULE
The 50s are first up playing this weekend from Sept 29-Oct 1 then the 40s conclude the Championships Oct 6-8.


GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Basketball
FAMILIAR FOES TO MEET FOR HOOPS CROWN

Basketball
ISLANDERS AVENGE EARLY SEASON LOSS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs
- True Grit Rugby Tournament
- IIAAG Boys Soccer Playoffs